56Th BCT Returns Home Commander Reports Their Success During a Press Conference with the Pentagon
Vol. 2, Issue 48 December 4, 2005
211th Maintenance teams spread out to help remote bases pg. 7
Field artillery battery adapts to changing mission in Iraq pg. 9 Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda 56th BCT returns home Commander reports their success during a press conference with the Pentagon
pg.pg. 55
Master Sgt. Lek Mateo Soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard’s, Company B, 1-141st Infantry Battalion, currently assigned to Company C, 2-142nd Infantry Battalion, 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, are silhouetted by the reddish-orange glow of the rising sun as they completed a pre-dawn foot patrol through an Iraqi town in southern Iraq. PAGE 2 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 Bush says U.S. is thankful Iraq debate normal in democracy American Forces Press Service bate, he said. The admiral spoke of an American Forces Press Service U.S. troops, Bush added, also have “helped instance when he attended the com- the people of Iraq and Afghanistan hold missioning of a Trident missile sub- historic and successful elections.” The WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2005 – marine. He said a reporter pointed to WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2005 – On nation’s servicemen and women, he said, The debate on troops in Iraq is protesters pouring blood on the street Thanksgiving Day weekend, all Americans “are America’s finest, and we thank them healthy and part and parcel of being near the site and asked him what he remembered the debt of gratitude they owe to today and every day for their service and a democracy, the vice chairman of the thought. “I told him, ‘I do what I do, the men, women and families of the United sacrifice.” Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Nov. so they can do what they do,’” he said. States military, President Bush said in his The president observed that Thanksgiving 22. He said the debates are fine, but weekly radio address. is a national holiday But people must remember that Americans must realize that the ter- “We are grateful to during which America is in a test of wills with ex- rorists are not going away, and the the men and women of Americans give tremists, Navy Adm. Edmund P. “test of wills is not going to stop to- our armed forces for thanks for the many Giambastiani said in an American morrow or next week.” securing the peace in blessings of liberty. Forces Press Service interview. Giambastiani said the United these dangerous he Thanksgiving “We are thank- “Having a debate and a discus- States is not going to lose anything times,” the president ful,” Bush said, “for sion on whether we ought to increase militarily, but the test of wills is key to said. “They are serving holiday reminds our family and troop strength, decrease troop winning the war. with courage and skill T friends, who fill our strength, withdraw, be more in- “It’s important for all of us to un- in Iraq, Afghanistan us that, ‘to whom lives with joy and volved with international organiza- derstand that,” he said. “And al- and elsewhere to love. We are thankful tions, that’s all a part of democracy,” though we have these debates and defend our freedom much is given, from him for the abundance of he said. “There’s absolutely nothing discussions, we have to go in with our and extend the bless- this prosperous land. wrong with all of that.” eyes open and understand that it is a ings of freedom to We are thankful for The U.S. military is around to pro- test of wills. Then, I think, we’ll be all others.” much will be required.’ As the freedom that tect people’s ability to have that de- right.” Bush noted that U.S. makes possible the military service today we count our blessings, enjoyment of all is demanding; it often these gifts. And we Army leaders talk about changes includes “long deploy- we are mindful of the acknowledge with ments and separations humility that all American Forces Press Service their weapons at all times and in- from home.” And need to share our bless- these blessings — cludes military operations on urban- those left behind and life itself — come ized terrain. stateside, he added, ings and gifts with others from almighty God.” CAMP LIBERTY, IRAQ, District Of Moreover, Wright said, the Army also face difficult Americans Columbia, Nov. 27, 2005 – The Army aims to provide units with more ex- challenges because recognize, Bush said, is instituting significant changes in perienced and more specialized lead- they “must deal with — and America is moved that because they are how it trains and recruits Soldiers, ers, including better-trained drill ser- the burden of raising so blessed, they have aiming to make U.S. troops more geants, to facilitate and enhance Sol- families, while praying to compassionate action. an obligation to help battle ready for the challenges in Iraq, dier training. As part of this effort, the for the safe return of those who are less Afghanistan and elsewhere, two of Army plans to provide units with their loved ones.” fortunate. the Army’s top noncommissioned squad-designated marksmen, who “All Americans,” “The Thanksgiv- officers said during recent visits to will train an extra two weeks, at their the president said, ing holiday,” he - George W. Bush Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq. unit’s request, before being assigned “honor and appreciate explained, “reminds The two command sergeants ma- to their unit. the commitment and us that, ‘to whom jor, John Sparks of the U.S. Army’s Increasingly, Soldiers will not have sacrifice of our mili- much is given, from Training and Doctrine Command, to leave their unit for training; the tary families.” him much will be required.’ As we count our and Lonny Wright with Infantry training will come to them, Wright Bush singled out fallen servicemen and blessings, we are mindful of the need to share Branch Command, spoke during noted. women for special praise. “Every person who our blessings and gifts with others — and separate mid-November meetings The Army is developing mobile dies in the line of duty,” he said, “commands America is moved to compassionate action.” with Soldiers from the 1st Brigade training facilities, which will bring the eternal gratitude of the American people. Bush said that such compassionate action Combat Team, 10th Mountain Divi- schools like the basic and advanced The military families who mourn the fallen can is manifest in Americans’ generous response sion. NCO courses directly to Soldiers. know that America will not forget their sacri- to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “We are enhancing the individual Mobile training programs, he ex- fice — and they can know that we will honor But “the universal call to love a neighbor,” he Soldiers’ skills-ensuring they are bet- plained, allow Soldiers to train dur- that sacrifice by completing the noble mission added, “also extends beyond our shores, ter trained and more prepared for ing the day, while returning home to for which their loved ones gave their lives.” moving us to help people in other lands.” today’s warfare,” Wright said. “Each their families at night. The president noted that troops fighting in Bush noted that America also “has begun Soldier will go through a live-fire The Army also plans to make more the global war on terrorism have achieved to help the millions of people in Pakistan, convoy exercise and train on more training courses available to Soldiers great success. Indeed, because the U.S. military India, and Afghanistan who are suffering weapons systems.” on compact discs, which can be dis- is fighting terrorists abroad, “we do not have to after last month’s devastating earthquake in Army basic training, he added, tributed to units both stateside and in face (terrorists) here at home,” he explained. South Asia.” also now requires Soldiers to carry the field.
and Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000 Deputy Public Affairs Officer papers. 207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Commander Maj. Curtis Carney The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. in building 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda Times, 207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC HHC 3rd COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web site at Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey S. Mullett Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm Editor 3rd COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. The Contact Sgt. Marshall Thompson via e-mail at Sgt. Marshall Thompson contents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and are [email protected] or Sgt. 1st Class not to be considered the official views of, or endorsed Staff Writers Jeffrey S. Mullett at [email protected] Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda by, the U.S. Government, including the Department of Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 3rd COSCOM Commanding General Sgt. Mitch Armbruster Anaconda Times is a command information newspa- Brig. Gen. Rebecca S. Halstead Sgt. Jason Mikeworth per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Sgt. Ty D. Stafford Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press Center Spc. Spencer Case Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars Lt. Col. Brian McNerney DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 3 Army transitions to sustainment brigades By Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux synchronize, monitor, and control CSS [combat service Staff Writer support] . . .” “I think the biggest challenge is a paradigm shift on how logistics is done now, whereas before, I did direct The U.S. Army is transforming to adapt to the modern support to the division commander, and that is it. Now battlefield. the division commander has to understand that I do area Part of this transformation is the shift from division support, and he is a customer in that area,” Perna said. support commands to sustainment brigades. Going from subordinate battalions under DISCOM to Currently, there are only two in the Army, the 101st having no battalions that deployed with them, the staff Sustainment Brigade and the 4th Sustainment Brigade, also had to learn all the new battalions and their mis- said Col. Gustave F. Perna, the commander of the 4th sions in theater, said Lt. Col. Seth L. Sherwood, the Sustainment Brigade. Eventually there are going to be 16 operations officer, of the 4th Sustainment Brigade. active duty sustainment brigades. The only battalion that arrived in theater with the 4th As now retired Maj. Gen. Terry E. Juskowiak ex- Sustainment Brigade is their special troops battalion, plained in an article in the Sept. 2004 edition of the Army which supports the brigade’s command, control, commu- Logistician, the Army had stockpiles of materiel at each nications, computers and intelligence functions and also echelon of support. This “often delayed the Army’s reinforces the personnel and administrative support ability to transition quickly from deployment to employ- services of the brigade headquarters. The forward ment of the force.” Current Army doctrine separates support battalions once under DISCOM were all reas- deployment, employment and sustainment stages of signed to the maneuver brigade commanders. operations. Juskowiak suggests that future doctrine Some of the changes manifested themselves in the needs to be designed to overcome these deficiencies. The assignment of Soldiers with military occupational shift from DISCOM to sustainment brigades is just one specialties which were unseen in DISCOM before. The small step in the process. brigade gained a small public affairs section, a battalion The Soldiers of the 4th Sustainment Brigade are surgeon team and riggers, to mention a few. pioneers. The Army did not provide a detailed step by As Shepherd noted, his staff in the personnel section step instruction to Perna, when he received the word on probably had the busiest job during the transition. “We the transformation. The 4th Sustainment Brigade’s insignia bears their motto had to make sure we have the right MOSs coming “I got a PowerPoint chart, and they said, ‘here is the Hem perficite which translates to, “Just get it done.” The ivy through our brigade. We are still gaining personnel for concept, now go make it work.’” Maybe that is how he leaf is a pun based on the roman numerals for 4, IV. our new MTOE.” came up with the brigade motto, “Just get it done!” Leaders of the 4th Sustainment Brigade are document- “We all have good ideas, and how we think it ought to inside. In other words, I bring logistics in, and then from ing the transformation, as they are making military be. The Army came up with what I call the ‘80 percent within I support,” Perna said. history happen. Perna often exchanges notes with the solution,’ and now we are trying to not make it perfect, The numbers have also changed. A division’s strength commander of the 101st Sustainment Brigade and other but make it work.” goes anywhere from 15,000 to 17 000, whereas the 4th DISCOM commanders who are soon to become sustain- The DISCOM of the 4th Infantry Division was officially Sustainment Brigade supports about 40,000 troops on ment brigade commanders. told about the change in January. They only received the the ground. “I think it is smart to go to brigade oriented units…. final version of their modified table of organization and Members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade had to adapt Even in Desert Storm and Desert Shield, that is how we equipment on Sept. 16, three days before their main body to the change, and instead of just looking forward and fought, as task forces, not as a division,” Sherwood said. deployed to Iraq. They are still in the process of making supporting the division, now they have to look around “I think we will stay in a brigade type set like this for the the change happen, said Maj. John H. Shepherd Jr., 360 degrees and support everybody, Perna said. near future at least.” personnel officer of the 4th Sustainment Brigade. As Juskowiak wrote, the sustainment brigade will Shepherd said he is one of those people who like The difference in a nutshell is the following: become a multifunctional combat service support challenges. “DISCOM was responsible for all of the logistics inside organization that combines the functions that formerly “It has been fun so far to watch this thing grow and of the division . . . The sustainment brigade is now resided with the DISCOM and the corps support com- now we are actually over here seeing it happen. So, I get responsible for all the logistics on the outside and the mand. “Its primary mission will be to plan, coordinate, goose bumps. Don’t tell my Soldiers though.”
Question of the Week What is one of your favorite holiday traditions?
Sgt. 1st Class Ewaldo Allen Spc. Kenneth Hayden Spc. Richard Owens Spc. Essam Sater Staff Sgt. Sergio Rodriguez 610th QM 883rd Med. Co. 21st CDC A-1/194th Armor 180th TC "Drinking guava berry and eating "Christmas, spending time with "Spending time with family and "Opening gifts at Christmas time." "Christmas, exchanging gifts with sweet bread -- a Virgin Islands my family." close friends." the family." tradition." PAGE 4 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 The military mirrors the 738th Medics keep busy American population By Sgt. Ty Stafford American Forces Press Service Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2005 – The U.S. military is Medics from the 738th Medical Company are keeping not a “poor man’s force.” busy at Logistical Support Area Springlake to support That’s the conclusion Defense Department officials troops from the 44th Combat Support Battalion. reached following examination of enlisted recruiting The 44th recently took over operations from the 620th statistics gathered over the past year. CSB at LSA Springlake, which is located at Al “There is an issue of how representative of America Taqaddum, Iraq. is the force,” said Curt Gilroy, the director of DoD’s ac- The 738th, a National Guard unit from Monticello, cessions policy in the Pentagon. Ind., mobilized in August and arrived at Camp Victory DoD tracks “representativeness” - as Gilroy calls it - in Baghdad late October to replace the 581st Area Support very closely. And representativeness can take a whole Medical Company. host of forms - race, education, social status, income, A five-person detachment went forward to Springlake region and so on. “When you look at all of those, you to support the battalion’s operations there. Photo by Sgt. Ty Stafford find that the force is really quite representative of the Consisting of one physician’s assistant and four Spc. Eric Deemer and Sgt. Monica Nava from the 738th Medi- country,” he said in a recent interview. “It mirrors the medics, the troop medical clinic (TMC) is responsible for cal Company give a redeployment medical threat briefing to country in many of these. And where it doesn’t mirror the 1073rd Maintenance Company at Al Taqaddum, Iraq. the overall healthcare and medical briefings for the America, it exceeds America.” battalion. and not being used to the environment here,” Johnson The data shows the force is more educated than the “We mainly do sick call and help with the Post said. population at large. Servicemembers have high school Deployment Health Assessments,” said Staff Sgt. Renee The unit has not experienced any trauma oriented diplomas or the general equivalency diploma. More Anker, NCOIC for the TMC. patients, which are directed to the Marine Surgical servicemembers have some college than the typical 18- During the health assesments, the medics ensure all Support Team on the main side of the base, Anker said. to 24-year-olds. “To carry representativeness to the ex- medical information is updated prior to the unit’s return “We are supposed to do some cross-training with the treme, we would have to have a less-educated force or to the United States. Marines on trauma incidents so we can stay up to speed we would want a lower-aptitude force,” Gilroy said. “We really do care about people getting back to the on trauma care. But as far as that is concerned they The study is part of DoD’s focus to bring the best States healthy,” said Spc. Eric Deemer, who recently handle all trauma care,” she said. recruits into the military. The services - who are respon- conducted a re-deployment briefing for the 1073rd Prior to mobilization, the 738th trained at Camp sible for manning, equipping and training the force - Maintenance Company. Atterberry, Ind., with a team from the medical school at take this data and apply it to recruiting efforts. Using handheld personal data assistants, the unit is Fort Sam Houston. The force is a volunteer force; no one is coerced into able to save updated information in the memory card. “The team trained us on pre-hospital trauma life serving. The military is one option young people have The information is then sent to a database. support systems and on the new Trauma Combat after high school. Military service offers money for col- “It makes it a lot easier to update medical information Casualty Course,” Anker said. lege - money a large segment of the population doesn’t now using these,” Deemer said. The TCCC focuses on common injuries sustained in have. For those people, the military is an attractive op- The detachment is also getting ready to start classes country by Soldiers who are conducting combat logistics tion. on the new soft tourniquets, recertification on the Combat patrols and combat operations. Many young people who don’t yet know what they Lifesaver Course and briefings on the Anthrax immuni- “It was three days of scenario-based training that want to do see the military as a place to serve and decide zation in the next month, said Sgt. Brenda Johnson, a really helped us out prior to mobilizing,” said Johnson, what they want to do for the rest of their lives, rather medic at the TMC. who is on his second tour for Operation Iraqi Freedom. than take a low-paying job or do nothing. Although recertification classes are beginning, Overall, the medics assigned to the 44th CSB are Critics say the U.S. military has too many African- Johnson said now Soldiers will be trained to become enjoying supporting the battalion and look at this as Americans as compared to the population and not CLS-qualified due to the small size of their unit. their opportunity to help be a force multiplier. enough Hispanics or Asian-Americans. “We just don’t have enough medics to give the class “It’s our job to keep these Soldiers healthy so they can “We don’t recruit for race,” Gilroy said. “We have and maintain the clinic,” she said. do their mission,” Anker said. standards, and if people meet those standards, then Since their arrival, the TMC has completed 500 Although away from their parent unit and the friends should we say they are not allowed in because of race? immunizations and averages 10 to 15 patients a day. they mobilized with, the 738th medics will continue That would be wrong.” “Much of that is due to the new battalion rotating in doing the job to keep everyone force ready. Still, DoD and the services will use these statistics and more to craft their recruiting policies, Gilroy said. FreedomFreedom RadioRadio FrequenciesFrequencies
107.7 Baghdad 107.9 Sinjar 105.1 Mosul, Fallujah 107.3 Balad, Kirkurk, Tallil, Ar Ramadi 93.3 Q-West, Tikrit, Al Asad 107.1 Ridgeway 102.5 Camp Taji
“Always There, on the Air!” DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 5 56th BCT wraps up deployment By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda Moreover, the 56th provided oversight Staff Writer and support for reconstruction and medical aid to the local population. In one case, the 56th gathered a coalition of As the 56th Brigade Combat Team from private companies, non-governmental the Texas National Guard prepared to organizations, and civic institutions to redeploy in late November, its com- transport a local child to Texas mander reported that the unit had Children’s Hospital. The child returned accomplished its mission in central and to Iraq after a successful life-saving southern Iraq. surgery. Speaking on behalf of nearly 3,500 “Our civil affairs mission has been 49 Soldiers in his command, Col. James projects with a total cost of $2.1 million,” Brown reported to the Pentagon that the Brown said. 56th was proud to return home after Brown credited the unit’s success to serving as a theater security brigade his Soldiers’ dedication and to the based out of Camp Adder in south- support that they received from their western Iraq. families at home. “The Thunderbolt Brigade’s main “The Soldiers of the brigade have effort is the protection and command and performed in an exceptional manner and control of theater logistics convoys, or have served America and Iraq in a most what we refer to as combat logistics professional manner,” Brown said. “I patrols [CLPs],” Brown said. “These Photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo must also acknowledge the exceptional Curious Iraqi children surround 1st Lt. Jimmy E. Cunalata, a rifle platoon leader of Company missions originate in southern and support we have received from our B, 1-141st Infantry Battalion based at Hondo, Texas, currently assigned to Company C, 2- western Iraq, and the commodities we 142nd Infantry Battalion, 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division. families, our employers and our friends at protect are delivered throughout the home. They have also served America nation to five different corps logistics conducted joint operations with Iraqi Brown noted. well during our deployment. We could hubs.” security patrols, interdicting criminal Despite the terrorist attacks, the not have accomplished our mission here Mobilized in August, 2004, the 56th elements and finding several weapons Thunderbolts conducted an impressive in Iraq without their unwavering sup- performed over 7,000 combat logistics caches and tons of unexploded number of humanitarian missions. The port.” patrols, escorting CLPs over 1.3 million ordnances. 56th worked with the Army Corps of Based out of Fort Worth, Texas, the 56th miles, Brown said. These patrols also In the course of the deployment, six Engineers and the Iraqi Ministry of consists of an infantry battalion, two protected more than 150,000 logistics brigade Soldiers were killed and 58 others Education to build 15 schools in southern armored battalions, a field artillery vehicles. were injured or wounded due to hostile Iraq. battalion, and an engineer battalion. Approximately 90 percent of the action from insurgents, Brown said. “This effort, utilizing local contractors, The 2-44th Air Defense Artillery operations took place at night, and the The 56th’s Soldiers encountered over provided much needed economic stimu- Battalion of the 101st Infantry Division normal logistics patrol was 12 to 14 hours 330 improvised explosive devices and lus to the local economy and certainly also served under the 56th’s command. in duration, he said. about 250 incidents of small arms fire by provided for the future of the Iraqi chil- The troops are expected home in early Brown said that his Soldiers also anti-Iraqi terrorists during the year, dren,” Brown said. December. Combat medics use their skills to save lives By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster “Dealing with Soldiers that have been injured or died Staff Writer in combat has been the hardest thing about the deploy- ment,” Smith said. “Everything else is easy, everything else is basic soldiering skills and what we learned in Combat medics from the 100-442nd Infantry Regiment basic training. The medical care is easy but actually have seen a wide variety of injuries in the country of Iraq. having to see the reaction and how it affects other Six Soldiers waited patiently in line for a medic as a Soldiers is the hardest part.” part of the morning sick call in the rear of the 100-442nd Medics are crucial elements to infantry units. building on Logistical Support Area Anaconda. “My Soldiers, for instance, have saved lives out there. The 100-442nd medics work in the small office behind They have been in some difficult situations where they the building, built from plywood and 2x4s to house them have had to use their skills,” Smith said. and their equipment. Their busy schedule has them Smith spent time in Iraq as an active duty Soldier with spread thin but they manage because they have a job to the 25th Infantry Division. After his active duty time was do. over, he transitioned into the Reserve and was cross- “Like the other medics, I am jumping around every leveled into the 100-442nd from his home of Albany, N.Y. Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster where,” said Spc. Ronnie Agustin, a combat medic with Smith has seen how the medical field works in the Sgt. Peter Go, a combat medic with the 100-442nd Infantry nd 100-442 . military and has spent time in the hospitals and in the Regiment, goes through a training exercise at LSA Anaconda. Medics normally work in teams of 10. However, as field as a combat medic. Staff Sgt. Sheldon Smith, the medic’s section sergeant “Focus on the basics, a better trained medic and a do it and not distinguishing between who we are as explained, they don’t have enough medics to operate this highly deployed medic makes a more versatile medic,” medics. We provide aid to everyone,” Copp said. way. The teams of the 100-442nd consist of nine Soldiers. Smith said. “At the 100th Battalion we are one. You can rely on The teams run short on personnel. 1st Lt. Daniel Copp, Medical platoon leader and our buddy next to you as much as you can the next “We are security and overwatch for our entire operat- battalion medical officer, has seen the mission evolve for person, someone you may have just met,” Copp said. ing area,” Smith said. “We have reconnaissance, escort his Soldiers. “We have 21 line medics along with office personnel that or whatever missions the command has for us. You got “The past few months have been busy. In our line of have strived hard from February of last year and I give to be a Soldier first, because if you’re not a Soldier first work, that’s not always a positive thing. We would great credit to them for stepping up when the mission then you can’t survive out there.” rather put a band-aid on or help the nationals but we called on us.” Medics find themselves on missions that deal with a have gone further than that,” Copp said. The combat medics attached to the 100-442nd have wide variety of jobs, but they know that they are there to These medics have earned Copp’s respect. had a demanding deployment, but they have stepped up save lives. “Having my guys save lives, knowing that they can to overcome all that they have faced. PAGE 6 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 551st551st momovveses ggoodsoods frfromom AlAl AsadAsad AirfAirfieldield By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth Staff Writer
Successfully running an airfield Arrival Departure and Control Group (A/ DACG) is vital to getting supplies and equipment to troops that need them on the battlefield. “Our main mission in garrison or here is to move cargo,” said 1st Lt. Allison Mason, the commander for the 551st Cargo Transfer Company Detachment which operates the A/DACG at Camp Al Asad. “We’re responsible for all Army cargo that leaves Al Asad or arrives at Al Asad via air.” When cargo arrives at Al Asad, it’s up to the 551st to make sure it gets to the intended unit. Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth “When cargo comes in, we ID it and Spc. Walter Rafalko of the 551st Cargo Transfer Company Detachment talks to Sgt. Adam Elkins about moving a pallet of cargo. facilitate the customer unit coming up to pick it up,” Mason said. sustaining now.” One of the biggest Ramos also said that working along “I’ve got to do a lot that others didn’t Tracking where the cargo is at all times challenges for the 551st has been running side the Air Force and Marines has been a get to do,” said Pfc. Fierran Watts, a cargo is an important aspect of the job, and one a 24 hour operation with a minimum good experience. specialist with the 551st. “I got to sight-see that the 551st has steadily improved since amount of personnel. “It’s amazing how the branches work a little when I went with the Marines to arriving in theater in September. “We have to keep the [team] moti- together,” Ramos said. Camp Korean Village.” “We’ve implemented six new computer vated,” Ekins said. “We have to keep Elkins echoed that sentiment. Watts said his job can be demanding, database systems to help track cargo them trained on their mission and train “Working with the Air Force, this is comparing it to creating a work of art. since we’ve been here,” said Sgt. Adam them to do my mission, too. This stuff has their bread and butter,” Elkins said. “It’s “You try to paint a perfect picture, and Elkins, the A/DACG NCOIC. “Since to get out in a timely manner. It could be like working with the masters of the maybe it’s not, but you try to make it real we’ve implemented the new systems, it’s medical supplies or other things that are trade.” sweet and move forward,” Watts said. enabled us to better serve our customer needed on the battlefield.” Mason said the relationship with the Elkins said he’s very impressed with units.” Spc. Eddie Ramos, a heavy equipment Marines has been equally good. the performance of his team and their Mason said the new tracking software operator with the 551st who is on his third “They treat us like family. They treat us flexibility with an unpredictable day-to- has greatly increased the efficiency of the tour in Iraq, said the work can be exciting just as well as they treat their own,” day work load. A/DACG by eliminating the need to rely sometimes. Mason said. “They’ve done everything we “I can’t say enough about them. They on their Air Force companions or an “You push yourself to get it done,” could ask to make our job smoother.” make it happen, the work can’t be done Army movement control team. Ramos said. “You feel pretty good about Another aspect of the 551st’s mission is without them,” Elkins said. “They’ve “We’ve cut out the middle-man,” yourself, you feel important because heavy material handling support for made me shine. Most definitely, I’m very Mason said. “We’re a lot more self- you’re helping the whole post.” Camp Al Asad and the surrounding area. proud of them.”
LSA ANACONDA Dining Facility Hours of Operation
DFAC 1 Breakfast 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Late Night 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.
DFACs 2 & 3 Breakfast 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Late Night 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. DFAC 4 Breakfast 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Late Night 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The DFAC hours for all locations are seven days a week. All patrons must be in the proper uniform and be able to present appropriate identification. DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 7 Mechanics spread out to better serve By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda nizational maintenance” section deals Staff Writer with quick repairs and trouble shooting, as well as with routine checkups. This section deals with periodic checkups, oil When Spc. Anthony Pak deployed to changes, and tire switches, among other Iraq late last year, he knew he would not things. be doing his primary military occupation. The “direct support” section, by The 21-year-old Columbus, Ohio resident contrast, makes major vehicular fixes joined the Army as a generator mechanic, such as engine replacements and trans- but his unit, the 211th Maintenance mission removals. Because the two Company, sent him to Camp Charlie, sections use different tools and different where there are no Army-maintained human resources, the Army has tradition- generators. Pak realized he would simply ally separated them. But Hinkle said that have to adapt and overcome. He was in recently the Army has been moving for an adventure. toward merging the two sections, giving “I’ve learned Spanish. I’ve learned to customers a one-stop shop that can meet say hi in Polish, Mongolian, I’ve learned all their vehicular maintenance needs. a lot,” Pak said. His team tested the combined system, Camp Charlie is a Coalition hub about and reported positive feedback. 100 miles south of Baghdad where only “They’ve been very independent in about 40 out of some 1,500 coalition accomplishing this mission,” said 2nd Lt. troops are Americans. The Polish and Brian Smyser, a platoon leader who Salvadoran armies lead the camp, with serves as the direct officer in charge of the Mongolian, Latvian, Slovakian, team. “There are few Americans there and Lithuanian, and Romanian troops the Coalition has few trucks. The trucks making up the rest. Pak’s group, under are constantly on the road and mechanics the leadership of a team from New York’s have to do miracles for some of the 145th Maintenance Company, provided trucks.” crucial support to the coalition forces as As of November, the shop had fielded the only fully operational mechanic shop over 650 work orders, aside from conduct- on post. ing daily routine checkups on at least “We had some of the Lithuanians help four trucks per day. out,” Pak said, noting that a few of the “It’s been great because the National forces brought some mechanics who were Guard troops came over here, they able to use the American equipment. “It applied their civilian skills and a lot of gets kind of difficult when they say them outperformed the rank they have,” th something to you and you reply, then you Hinkle said of his Soldiers from the 211 . Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda both have to pull out your Lithuanian or “They did a great job.” Spc. Anthony Pak, a generator mechanic turned light wheeled vehicle mechanic with the Polish-English dictionary.” Hinkle is not the only one noticing his 211th Maintenance Company, inspects a vehicle at Camp Charlie in south-central Iraq. The language barrier was a challenge, team’s success. Each of the Soldiers but the Soldiers adapted, just as they received the prestigious Multi-National The 211th’s command at Logistical Newark, Ohio, in late December. As for adapted the rest of the mission to its Division Polish Support Badge for their Support Area Anaconda echoed Zizolfo’s Pak, he is returning to Ohio State unique needs. excellence in service. Capt. Robert Zizolfo, comments. University, where he is a college junior For instance, Soldiers with the 211th the commander of the 145th, said that the “The camp Charlie mission has been majoring in mechanical engineering. had to merge two traditionally separate 211th’s team worked seamlessly with his great for the Soldiers because rarely do “It’s going to be rough going back to sections of a maintenance shop into one team at Charlie. mechanics get a chance to work hand in school and getting back into studying,” because of the size of the team, said Sgt. “They’ve been working together very hand with Coalition troops,” said Capt. Pak said. “But I’m looking forward to 1st Class Randy Hinkle, the section’s well,” Zizolfo said. “They had a cohesion John Frye, the 211th’s commander. “It was going back and readapting.” NCO. that was critical for success and I was a very visible type of operation, and they And as the deployment showed, Normally, a military maintenance shop pleased to see that happen. I’m very did very well.” adaptation is one of the Soldiers’ is split between two sections. The “orga- pleased with their overall performance.” The Soldiers are scheduled to return to strengths. Family members identify terrorist killed in raid The loss of the ‘executive secretary’ makes trouble for Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq
American Forces Press Service mine his death with certainty. During the course of the raids, conducted on the eve In late November, coalition forces received information of Iraq’s constitutional referendum, several weapons from knowledgeable sources and a close family member of caches, containing mortar rounds, small arms and am- BAGHDAD, Nov. 26, 2005 – A family member and Abu Ubaydah, claiming independently that Zarqawi’s munition, were found and destroyed. coalition sources have confirmed that Oct. 14 raids killed confidant was killed in the raids. Bombs made from mortar rounds also were planted a close confidant of fugitive Jordanian terrorist Abu Detained al Qaeda members say Abu Ubaydah served along the road leading to the safe houses as a defense Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, military as an “executive secretary” for Zarqawi, meeting with the against incoming vehicle or foot traffic. officials reported. terrorist leader frequently, serving as his messenger and Coalition forces were engaged by small-arms fire Bilal Mahmud Awad Shebah, also known as Abu gatekeeper, and screening all messages and requests for upon their arrival at the suspected terrorist location and Ubaydah, reportedly met weekly with Zarqawi, officials meetings. immediately returned fire. said. Detainees also claim he provided Zarqawi with safe Combining the ground attack with the use of close- Although intelligence assessments indicated at the house locations and used intimidation and death threats air support, the terrorists’ hideout locations were de- time that Abu Ubaydah had been killed in the raids north to gain the cooperation of the Iraqi people to support al stroyed. No coalition forces were injured or killed dur- of Ramadi, officials said, analysts could not then deter- Qaeda in Iraq terrorist activity. ing the raids. PAGE 8 DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 PAGE 9 Quartermasters deliver at Camp Al Asad
By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth Staff Writer
Moving material and supplies across a Photo by Spc. Spencer Case theater as large as Iraq is no simple task, Sgt. Ricky Largent poses with his son, Sgt. Kermit nd but the Soldiers of the 62 Quartermaster Largent at LSA Anaconda, Nov. 17. The sergeants Company are making it look easy. Largent are serving in the 463rd Engineer Battalion. The 62nd has created a new joint distribution center, or JDC, at Camp Al Asad to support ongoing operations across western Iraq. Father and son
“Basically the things we’re responsible Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux for are pushing out Class I, unit supplies, Pvt. John R. Murphy (left) and Pvt. Trevor Vise (right), prepare their .50-caliber machine gun for an escort mission. unit installation equipment and receiving serve together the same equipment to and from different By Spc. Spencer Case locations throughout Multi-National Staff Writer Field Artillery adapts to changing mission Coalition Forces West locations,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Tellez, NCOIC of the JDC. By Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux they were pretty happy, because they were sleeping on “What we do is we break it down into Staff Writer the floor,” Nelson explained. Over the course of the last year, Sgt. Ricky different classes, like Class I, or Class IX Nelson said that he and his fellow Soldiers learned Largent and his son, Sgt. Kermit Largent have or Class X.” their new tasks quickly. grown used to answering to nicknames like The mission usually begins with the They conducted endless drills and practiced 24-hour He cautions others who deploy in a mission other “Largent squared.” arrival of equipment and supplies from operations to make sure everybody was proficient in than the unit’s usual mission to make the most of the Since December 2004, the Elizebethton, Tenn. various combat logistics patrols at Camp their military occupational specialty as artillerymen training provided, and ask the instructors lots of ques- natives have been serving in Iraq with the 463rd Al Asad. After processing the new cargo, before being deployed. tions while they can. Engineering Company. Soldiers serving with them st the 62nd then has to figure out exactly Little did they know that they would have a com- Sgt. 1 Class Franklin K. Climes, platoon sergeant for say the two were rarely separated. nd who is supposed to get the items. pletely different mission when they deployed to Iraq. 2 Platoon, found that the biggest challenge was not “Unless you put them on different projects, they “We get stuff that we really don’t know “We were in the field all through the wintertime. We learning the new mission, but having a platoon full of were always together,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie who it belongs to, so we do the research came out of the field after the last field problem, and they very young guys, who have never been away from home. Johnston, the platoon sergeant over the Largents. and get it to its location,” Tellez said. said you’re going to be truck drivers now,” said Spc. “They did not know what to expect,” Climes said. “And that worked out good because they worked Getting the cargo to its required Brent A. Nelson, cannon crewmember from the active His more senior Soldiers, who have been deployed well together.” destination takes careful planning. duty B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery from before, coached the young ones through the hard times. The two supported Army and Marine Corps “We receive inbound convoys and Fort Sill, Okla. He still smiles as he reflects back on the “We all came together, we all grew together. A lot of personnel at Logistical Support Area Anaconda download all their cargo, then separate it initial shock. friendships are being made out here. I can see the young and Al Asad Airfield. They often worked together by the base it’s going to,” Tellez said. “Most of the guys were pretty upset about it, but I Soldiers grow, and turn into good young men,” Climes on projects changing tires and repairing vehicles “Once it gets to its location, that freedom think now, after we have been doing it, it is not too bad,” said. and water heaters. Ricky, 50, a maintenance nd fighter on the other end can break it down he said. He talks about his Soldiers in 2 Platoon supervisor for Carter County Tenn., said their nd for however he needs it to accomplish the Today B 2/5th FA supports the 142 Corps Support “Roughriders” as his own children. service has made their relationship closer. mission, whether it’s parts, water or Group, providing combat logistical patrols and escorts “A lot of the Soldiers, depending on the background “We’ve roomed together, we’ve eaten together, rations.” at Logistical Support Area Diamondback. they came from, did not have a family. They stick we’ve become friends instead of just father and This JDC is a newly designed opera- “At any given time we could escort up to 90 third together now like we are one big Bravo family,” Climes son,” Ricky said. tion in theater designed to expand on country national trucks, and that is amazing . . . that is a said with a warm tone in his voice. The dynamic duo was separated for a period of normal central shipping and receiving combat logistics patrol almost three miles long,” said Soldiers transitioned into their new role. Parsley said about a month when Kermit, 26, was assigned to points that are run by civilians as well as Capt. Thomas A. Caldwell, company commander. that combat service support has a different mentality go to Combat Outpost Rawah from Sept. 12 to Oct. augment central distribution centers The company received their official warning order at than field artillery does. Soldiers had to learn how to 6, to help set up tents for the Iraqi army. (CDC). the end of February. They reorganized as a palletized communicate and coordinate with outside agencies. “I “I went to the captain every few days and asked “Most other areas have a CDC, which loading system (PLS) company on May 9. The company am very proud of the ability of this battery to adapt to if he’d heard from him,” Ricky said. “I was worried is basically a trailer transfer point,” almost doubled in size because of the change, Caldwell new missions,” he said. about him. I was proud of him, he was up there Tellez said. “Here, we can either be a said. Climes, Caldwell and Parsley all emphasized how doing his job.” trailer transfer point or shipping and From May to August, the company spent all their time important it is to have high standards of discipline and Though the deployment started just a year ago, receiving point.” training up for their new mission. Soldiers participated professionalism among NCOs and officers, who lead the Ricky and Kermit Largent’s history of serving The JDC at Al Asad was built from the in driver’s training, learned how to load and unload the Soldiers by example. together began much earlier. ground up, designed to be adaptable to cargo, and even partook in combat logistics patrol live There is one thing they all agreed on: they miss being Ricky first enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1989 whatever the mission will be, Tellez said. fire exercises. field artillery. to further his career as an engineer. In 1997, “It’s a new concept we had to learn. They had to learn everything from scratch. PLS “I miss the excitement of being a supported guy, Ricky’s unit did an annual training project in It’s not in a manual. We researched it. We vehicles are ten-axle trucks weighing about 60,000 instead of being the supporting guy … I miss the ‘boom’ which they installed tiles and a drainage system in go to other places and see how they’re pounds. They carry flat racks which are ideal for ship- and miss the camaraderie of being on a firing point,” an area with softball fields and tennis courts for doing things. It’s endless. We can keep ping pallets. The truck is capable of lowering the rack to Caldwell said. Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Va. adding to it. You could add a sling-load if the ground and picking it back up once the pallets have Still, they are all proud of their accomplishments and Kermit visited the Reserve Center, where plans st you wanted to,” Tellez said. “There were been loaded on them, explained 1 Sgt. Thomas J. happy to be part of an important mission. Parsley said it were underway, and the project impressed him. some growing pains, mostly just estab- Parsley of B 2/5th FA. is easy to keep the Soldier’s morale up. “Whenever I got up there I said ‘wow, these lishing our flow. Even though everything “We carry everything from mail to food to wood, “These guys are real fireballs. They take a lot of pride guys are really helping out the community, this is is still unpredictable we can still have basically all classes of supply,” Parsley said. in what they do,” he said. “They know that they are one great,’” Kermit said. Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth some sort of a schedule.” Three months into their deployment, some missions of the first units to get the chance to show what we have Pfc. Ryan Crosta from the 551st Cargo Transfer Company Detachment assigned to the 62nd Quartermaster Company works to steady a seem more memorable than others. outside the cannon lane…they are setting the standard see Father and son on pg. 15 disabled trailer while it's lifted for transport at the Joint Distribution Center at Camp Al Asad. see Quartermaster on pg. 15 “The other night, we took a load of beds to a unit, and every day.” PAGE 10 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 240th QM wraps up deployment By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster Going on Staff Writer Emergency
Soldiers of the 240th Quartermaster Leave? Company have dealt with adversity and overcome challenges while living and working on Forward Operating Base Seitz Don’t forget, for the last 11 months of their deployment. “I coordinate the day-to-day business for the company, that includes adminis- trative action, personnel action, training issues, and training requirements, also I assist the commander in any enlisted issues that may arise,” said 1st Sgt. Shelton Williamson, the company first sergeant. Four clocks hang above the radio displaying times from all over the world. A dry erase board displays fuel farm numbers that take up most of the board’s Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster white space. In the office that is the home Sgt. Saudi Plowdeniz, 240th Quartermaster Co. speaks with a fellow Soldier about the orga- you MUST of the 240th, the walls are overwhelmed nization of the cargo transfer point located at Forward Operating Base Seitz. with bulletin boards and papers. have civilian Williamson has a University of North the size of FOB Seitz, the 240th has had to Seitz is centrally located. Kemp stated clothes to Carolina Tarheels sticker covering the employ unexploded ordnance sweep that the yard is a source of pride for her edge of his bulletin boards next to his teams to patrol the area when attacked Soldiers because they were able to build it be able to desk, just a small reminder of home. with mortar fire. themselves. “The deployment has been extremely The 240th CTP went from one empty lot “The Soldiers are incredible because fly out! successful, extremely positive. I’m to two lots filled with containers, pallets, they didn’t know how to do this, and I actually pretty blessed to be with such a and retrograde parts. 1st Lt. Amy Kemp didn’t know how to do this and they Also make sure you gifted group of Soldiers,” Williamson oversees the CTP for the 240th while started from the ground up. Now they are have a copy of your said. juggling the task of executive officer for pros at it,” Kemp said. “I can leave them As a company, the 240th has increased the company. The unit has been able to out here and know that it will be taken orders on you at all their fuel farm capacity from 1.2 million work with Kellogg, Brown and Root care of and when the new unit comes and times, even when gallons of fuel to 1.9 million gallons. They (KBR) loading trucks to move supplies we cross-train them, I have no doubt that also accomplished the task of creating a out to the Soldiers in need. they will be set up for success.” you are at home! cargo transfer point (CTP) from the “We have KBR come out because they “Getting the trucks in to pick up parts ground up. have awesome support, and that frees up is the hardest part of this job. We aggres- Although the Soldiers of the 240th made our Soldiers to do other things like force sively seek out civilian and military great strides to improve the fuel farm and protection and other missions that only trucks to get all of the parts out to the build the CTP, they still have responsibili- Soldiers can do,” Kemp said. ties to keep their living area safe. Due to The CTP yard has grown because FOB see 240th QM on pg. 15
PatriotPatriot ClinicClinic CombatCombat SStresstress ContrControlol Sustaining Soldiers by managing stress to improve mission readiness
LSA Anaconda, Balad Command Consultations Bldg. 4116 Ohio Street Combat and operational stress support (near Air Force Theater Hospital) Mental Health counseling DSN: (318) 829-1402 Psychoeducational briefings e-mail: [email protected] Psychiatric consultation
Critical Incident Debriefings/Trauma Management
Clinic Hours: Open Sunday—Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emergency 24 hour Service and Mobile Treatment Team Available Go Army! Please call in advance to eliminate waiting Beat Navy! DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 11 DFAC 4 wins award for best dining facility By Spc. Spencer Case Staff Writer
The civilian contractors and military personnel at Dining Facility 4 accepted a trophy and a certificate for winning Logistical Support Area Anaconda’s DFAC of the month for three consecutive months on Nov. 21. Only once before in Operation Iraqi Freedom has a DFAC won DFAC of the month three times consecu- tively at LSA Anaconda. Col. Mark Hampton, commander of the 35th Area Support Group, the garrison command group at LSA Anaconda, presented the award before 146 Soldiers and contractors. “This is a tremendous accomplishment,” Hamp- ton said. “Winning DFAC of the month three months in a row is a very hard achievement. There is stiff competition among other DFACs and a feat like this proves DFAC 4 chooses consistency and excellence as an everyday standard.” DFAC 4 is the busiest dining facility at LSA Anaconda, serving a total of 17,000 meals a day during four different meal times. About 180 individu- als are responsible for the facility. While Kellogg Brown & Root provides a few supervising positions, most of the civilian workers belong to a sub-contrac- tor of KBR called Tamimi Catering. There is also a group of Soldiers from 1/159th Aviation Brigade and Photo by Spc. Spencer Case other units who supervise the workers and provide Col. Mark Hampton, commander of the 35th Area Support Group, presents a trophy to Jitendra Adhikari, an employee of Tamimi Catering, in honor of DFAC 4 winning DFAC of the month for three consecutive months, Nov. 21. security for the building. The award is based on monthly inspections conducted by the 35th ASG in which points are given team. “The winner usually wins by a percent or less.” can also leave their comments at “survey boxes” that are for sanitation, food preparation, presentation and The civilian workers at DFAC 4 say they are proud of the outside of each exit. administration quality. Inspectors make sure that recognition. Hodson said that the contractors’ hard work shows. potentially hazardous food is held at temperatures “It feels good, as a team, to accomplish something like “The KBR and Tamimi workers do an outstanding job for no lower than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while perish- that,” said Theresia Ward, the DFAC 4 manager for KBR. the United States military,” he said. able food, such as salad, must be kept at a tempera- In order to stay on top of their game, the DFAC constantly So far, no DFAC has ever won the award four con- ture cooler than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspec- has safety classes and takes recommendations from its secutive months, but DFAC 4 is in the position to do just tors also make sure KBR fulfills its contractual visitors. Most recently, DFAC 4 held classes on how to safely that. Ward said she is confident in the abilities of her obligations such as providing certain foods. use the meat slicing machine and open the oven. DFAC 4 workers and thinks that DFAC 4 has a chance at setting “It’s a very tight competition,” said Master Sgt. holds meetings at 9 a.m. every third Wednesday of the the record. “We have great workers, a great military staff, William Hodson, the NCOIC of the DFAC inspection month to hear and address Soldiers’ complaints. Soldiers so I think it can be done,” Ward said. Air Force uncle finds his Army niece in Iraq By Air Force Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore to find his niece. 332nd AEW Public Affairs “It took more than a month to get in contact with Angie,” Brimmer said. “We tried to get in touch with each other over When serving half a world away from home, e-mail, but for some reason e-mails to one another’s military many servicemembers treasure the little tokens they accounts kept getting rejected. My wife ended up having to brought with them to remind them why they are here. give my personal e-mail address to her sister who was able For Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brimmer, 332nd to pass it on to Angie.” Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first ser- “In the meantime, I looked for her every time I went to the geant, and his niece, Army Spc. Angela Fekken, DFACs,” Brimmer said. 1436th Engineer Company, they have more than a Fekken was also searching for her uncle. small piece of home, they have each other. “When I would run into airmen, I would ask them if they Fekken, a truck driver, has been deployed to LSA knew my uncle,” she said. “It was a good feeling to finally Anaconda almost a year and this affected her uncle’s have met up with him. I’d been looking for him for weeks, so decision to come here. it was great to finally see him.” “I volunteered to deploy and was given a list of The sergeant and specialist come from a large, but close places I could go to,” said Brimmer. “I picked Balad family. because Angie was there already.” “Most of our family lives within 15 minutes of each other When Fekken came home for her mid-tour leave in back in Michigan,” Fekken said. “We always get together.” July, Brimmer met with her to learn about where he Maintaining this sense of closeness was important to the would be deploying. uncle and niece. “She gave me a run down about what to expect,” “It’s just a great comfort to know that we have family here Brimmer said. “She showed me photos of LSA we can talk to and are able to see a friendly smiling face of a Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore Anaconda and really put me at ease about coming family member,” Fekken said. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brimmer, 332nd Expe- here. I thought it was going to be a barren desert, but Because of job requirements the two are not able to get ditionary Security Forces Squadron, and his niece, Army the photos she had showed different.” Specialist Angie Fekken, 1436th Engineer Company, relax When Brimmer arrived here, he began his search see Air Force Uncle on pg. 14 and talk during some down time on LSA Anaconda. PAGE 12 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005
LSA Anaconda Soldier’s WWesestt MWRMWR Legal Center EastEast MWRMWR DSN 829-1947 Dedicated to providing a variety of ScheduleSchedule services including: ScheduleSchedule Powers of Attorney and Notaries TEXAS HOLD’EM Citizenship Application Preparation and Immigra- at the tion Issues Karaoke Night Divorce and Family Law Issues Panther Pavilion Guardianships Open-mike nights will Mondays at Tax Services be every Saturday at 8 p.m. Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act Issues 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. FLIPL and Reprimand Rebuttals Personnel Claims and Wills
Darts LSLSAA AnacondaAnaconda Table-Tennis Tournament Tournament A Table-tennis tour- A darts tournament nament will be every will be held Sundays FitnessFitness Sunday at 3 and 8 p.m. at 8 p.m.
8-Ball CenterCenter 8-Ball Tournament Tournament Pilates Tuesdays at The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center An 8-ball tourna- offers Pilates classes at 5:45 a.m. Mon- ment will be held 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. day, Wednesday and Friday. every Monday at 3 Aerobics and 8 p.m. There will be an aerobics class Mon- day, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m. Blackjack Education Center Freestyle aerobics is Saturday at 9 Redeployment Briefings a.m., and today at 1 p.m. offers the following programs Briefing will be held in a new Karate location. For location call • College classes on-line Karate classes will be Sunday, • Computer classes Staff Sgt. Litrena Gordon at • GED study sessions Monday, Wednesday and Friday at • CLEP study sessions and testing 7:15 p.m. 829-1815 • College entrance examination preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT) Tae Bo • GT improvement classes The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center • Pre-test GT predictor offers Tae Bo classes Tuesday, Thurs- • On-line military education (eArmyU, day and Saturday at 5:30 a.m. Going Home? ACCP, Smart Force, AARTS, ACES) • Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test study session Kobushi Sessen Jutsu A Naval Customs will be holding The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center briefings for returning units. The DSN 829-4010 offers classes in the feudal warrior combat art Tuesday, Thursday and Briefings will cover MILVAN Saturday at 8:30 p.m. inspection and restricted items.
Anaconda Choir Capoeira The brief will cover container and Join the Anaconda Choir, now The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center MILVAN inspections, prohibited items, forming. Practice now for Christ- offers capoeira classes Sunday at 6 and tips on how to make the process go mas. p.m and Monday, Wednesday and well. Customs inspectors will be there to Bldg. 4054 near the corner of Friday at 8:30 p.m. answer questions Sapper and Pennsylvania Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Wednesday and Thursdays For questions and reservations call Combatives Classes will be MT1 McCreary: starting Nov. 23. For times contact: Sundays at 8:30 p.m. and Wednes- 829-1824 [email protected] days and Fridays at 8:30 p.m. DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 13
Movie Schedule Sustainer RReligiouseligious ScSchedulehedule Reel Time Roman Catholic Mass Sunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel Reel Time Saturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel Theater Sunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee Chapel Protestant Praise and Worship (schedule is subject to change) Sunday 11 a.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 9 a.m. Sustainer Indoor Theater Sunday 8 p.m. Provider Capel Annex Sunday 11 a.m. Eden Chapel (Bldg. 4148) December 4 Mon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 6:30 p.m. MWR Tent 29th Spt. Bn. Harry Potter Marthon Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel 11:30 a.m. Harry Potter 1, 2 and 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel 8 p.m. Harry Potter 4 (30 minutes prior to each mass) 12 a.m. Harry Potter 4 Protestant-Contemporary Church of Christ Sunday 11 a.m. Town Hall December 5 Sunday 2 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel 3 p.m. Walk the Line Protestant-Traditional 6 p.m. Flight Plan Islamic Prayer Sunday 9:30 a.m. Provider Chapel 9 p.m. Harry Potter 4 Friday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 10 a.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel December 6 Samoan Congregational Service 3 p.m. Corpse Bride Sunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel Protestant-Liturgical Service 6 p.m. Walk the Line Sunday 7:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital Chapel 9 p.m. Harry Potter 4 Spanish Speaking Worship Service Sunday 2 p.m. Freedom Chapel Latter Day Saints December 7 Sunday 1 p.m. Provider Chapel 3 p.m. Flight Plan Jewish Prayer Sunday 4 p.m. Freedom Chapel 6 p.m. Just Like Heaven Friday 6:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex Sunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel 9 p.m. Harry Potter 4 Wednesday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex (FHE) Protestant-Gospel December 8 Sunday 11 a.m. Sustainer Indoor Theater 3 p.m. Exorcism of Emily Rose 6 p.m. Flight Plan Religious schedule subject to change 9 p.m. Harry Potter 4
December 9 3 p.m. Exorcism of Emily Rose Movie Synopsis for Dec. 4 - Dec. 11 6 p.m. Flight Plan 9 p.m. Yours, Mine and Ours 12 a.m. Yours, Mine and Ours Harry Potter 4 Although life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a PG-13, fantasy, 150 min lot more colorful than his strict Victorian upbringing, December 10 Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the 3 p.m. Greatest Game Ever Played next, that can keep him away from his one true love. 6 p.m. Yours, Mine and Ours In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry faces his 9 p.m. Exorcism of Emily Rose greatest challenges and dangers yet. When he is Walk the Line selected under mysterious circumstances as a PG-13, drama, 135 min December 11 contestant in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry must Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon 3 p.m. Yours, Mine and Ours compete against the best young wizards from schools 6 p.m. Serenity all over Europe. But as he prepares, signs begin to He picked cotton, sold door to door, and served in the 9 p.m. Flight Plan point to the return of Lord Voldemort. Before long, Air Force. He was a voice of rebellion that changed Harry is playing not just for the Cup, but for his life. the face of rock and roll. An outlaw before today’s rebels were born - and an icon they would never The Exorcism of Emily Rose forget. He did all this before turning 30. And his name PG-13, horror, 114 min was Johnny Cash. WALK THE LINE explores the Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson early years of the music legend, an artist who transcended musical boundaries to touch people In an extremely rare decision, the Catholic Church around the globe. As his music changed the world, officially recognized the demonic possession of a 19 Cash’s own world was rocked by the woman who year-old college freshman. Told in flashbacks, ‘The became the love of his life: June Carter. Exorcism of Emily Rose’ chronicles the haunting trial of the priest accused of negligence resulting in the death of the young girl believed to be possessed and Serenity the laywer who takes on the task of defending him. PG-13, sci-fi, 119 min Nathan Fillian, Alan Tudyk
The Corpse Bride Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran on PG, annimation, 76 min the losing side of a galactic civil war, now ekes out a Jonny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic Set in a 19th century European village, this stop- crew who are the closest thing he has left to family - motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor, a squabbling, insubordinate and undyingly loyal. young man who is whisked away to the underworld When Mal takes on two new passengers - a young and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real doctor and his unstable, telepathic sister - he gets bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living. much more than he bargained for. PAGE 14 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 MecMechanicshanics ffindind useuse fforor eextrxtraa cchechecksks By Sgt. Joshua Salmons 4th Sustainment Brigade PAO
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – In the fading light of Oct. 28, two lines of M1088 Tractor Trucks formed up in the 541st Transporta- tion Company’s motor pool. Waiting mechanics stepped forward and, along with the truck drivers, in- spected every system on board the Fort Campbell-based unit’s vehicles prior to a fuel-delivery mission. Nothing was left to chance as tires, lights, fluid levels, signs of leaks, fans and brakes were checked during the 10- 20 level quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) inspection. The 541st performs the QAQC ritual before each and every mission. It’s a ritual that saves lives. “It makes sure that the best product we have leaves the gate on the mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Short, the 541st truckmaster.“The drivers are still required to do their [inspection] before mission checks. This is just another step to make sure they have good equipment.” The extra sets of eyes on each vehicle have definitely made a quantifiable difference on truck reliability during missions, said Chief Warrant Officer Photo by Sgt. Joshua Salmons Mark Douglas, unit maintenance officer. Spc. Joshua Meech tugs at the drive train of an M1088 tractor truck during a pre-mission vehicle inspection Oct. 28 on Camp Taji, Iraq. st The 541 didn’t utilize QAQCs for the Meech is an all-wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 541st Transportation Company, based out of Fort Campbell, Ky. initial two weeks of operation. During that time, six trucks broke down during pared with four in 11 months. These identify the problem and get it fixed.” truck, put it out there and it’s good to go.” missions and required a tow back to Taji. results are not lost on the drivers. If a maintenance issue is found, other “[The QAQC] lets Soldiers know…it’s Since the start of these inspections, “It makes me feel really safe, especially trucks are standing by to be inspected been checked by the people who are the nearly 11 months ago, the 541st has had with us going out on the roads,” said Sgt. and used instead. experts in my unit,” Douglass said. only four breakdowns, Douglas said. Armah Freeman, a truck driver in the “If one is messed up all you got to do is “There’s not a better piece of equipment Six breakdowns in two weeks com- 541st. “If we’ve got any problems, we can just take it off, do a QAQC on the other for them.”
Enlisted female Marine writes novel Uncle and niece Lance Cpl. Wayne C. Edmiston “When I go home I’ll do studio work and recording for 2nd Force Service Support Group my demo album,” Collazo said. “I plan on sending the meet in Iraq album out to various record companies.” The album is going to be self-titled and is going to continued from pg. 11 CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – Many of America’s men consist of basic rock ‘n’ roll accompanied by her singing, and women in uniform consider their military service a she said. great honor and an experience they will never forget. She began her music career at a young age and began together as often as they would like, but they take Recording that experience with pen and paper is how participating in chorus in high school. She began advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. one Marine has chosen to relay her service to the Ameri- receiving instruction from a personal vocal coach at the “We look forward to getting together and having can population. age of 15. a chance to catch up on what we’ve both been Cpl. Deanna M. Collazo, the Maintenance Information “My vocal coach’s son was a member of N*SYNC,” doing here, as well as what’s going on back home,” Systems Coordination Office chief, for Headquarters and Collazo said referring to the late 90’s pop group. “So I Fekken said. Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (For- felt like she gave me an edge on the music industry.” Family members in the States were also glad, ward), is documenting her feelings by writing a novel Even though she had her sights set high in many that for part of their deployments, the two would be titled “American Daughter.” facets of her lifestyle, serving her country became a huge here together. “I wanted to write a book on a woman and enlisted priority, but not originally as a Marine. “They were pretty excited that we’d both be perspective of my time spent in the military,” the Or- “Actually I was going to join the Air Force,” she said. serving at the same time and at the same base, lando, Fla. native said. “You see a lot of books written by “Someone told me I could not make it through Marine especially my mom and my aunt, his wife,” Fekken officers but not many by enlisted.” Corps boot camp.” said. Collazo credits her passion for writing to her experi- Being in Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Having the opportunity to deploy with a family ences before the military as a writer for her high school Corps in high school only fueled her passion to become a member has meant a lot to this sergeant and newspaper, she said. Marine, Collazo said. specialist. “My book is going to focus a lot on boot camp and my “I knew that boot camp for the Marines was longer “On deployments we make friends and form an experiences both professional and personal,” Collazo and tougher than that of the Air Force, Army and Navy,” adopted family,” Brimmer said. “But to have a real said. “Also it will focus on my experiences here in Iraq.” she commented. “I wanted to challenge myself to be part family member here makes a difference. It keeps us As a multi-talented individual she is also pursuing a of one of the most elite fighting forces in the world. ... I connected to home.” career in the music industry and has high hopes for felt that I had a duty to serve my country, especially after success. 9-11.” DECEMBER 4, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 15 Quartermasters move supplies in Al Asad continued from pg. 8
The adaptability is useful to accommo- date other portions of the mission, Tellez said. “We also do mail runs. We provide units with mail containers and ship mail to them. We also package humanitarian stuff for the Iraqi forces and for local Civil Affairs projects in the community,” Tellez said. “We understand it’s a priority to get these guys the things that they need to accomplish the mission.” Starting the JDC involved more than locating space for containers. Capt. Raphael Heflin, commander of the 62nd, said the unit had to move its base of operations from Camp Al Taqqadum to Camp Al Asad. Then they began pulling in all of the pieces that now make up the JDC. “We took over the bulk fuel farm operation from the Marines at Al Asad,” Heflin said. “We established the JDC, and took our Class I and multi-class opera- tions and put them in one central location here at Al Asad so we could function as a hub and supply all the customers in the West.”Heflin said he is very impressed with the things the 62nd has accomplished during their tour in Iraq. “The Soldiers have worked really hard Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth to get to where we are at now. The com- Spc. James Dillingham, a crane operator from the 551st Cargo Transfer Company Detachment assigned to the 62nd Quartermaster manding general’s intent was to create a Company, lifts a disabled trailer at the Joint Distribution Center at Camp Al Asad. hub for the West. We’re there now. What was someone’s dream is now a reality down on the ground,” Heflin said. “Just sions that we’ve done. A number of our Tellez said that sense of ownership Heflin reflected on the positive and about everyone in the West, especially the missions changed throughout the deploy- helped make the mission better for him. negative aspects of turning over the JDC Army, is supported through JDC. In most ment,” Heflin said. “I think it really took “The best part about this job is you get they created. cases, the Marines and Air Force are also leaders talking to Soldiers to explain the a good feeling providing support to the “It’s bittersweet. We’ve been here for a supported. It’s why it’s a joint center.” big picture of what’s happening out there, Soldiers that need it, that are out there year. We want to get back to our families Heflin also commented on the flexibil- and helping them understand the impor- putting their lives at risk,” Tellez said. “It and spend time with our loved ones, but ity his Soldiers have shown to complete tance of their role in supporting the makes it worth it when you see the impact it’s bitter to hand it over because we’ve every mission that has come their way. Soldiers and Marines down-range to the Soldiers on the ground. It makes put our heart and soul into this mission, “There were a lot of mission changes. fighting the battle. I think it really gave a you realize how important that supply but I know the next group is going to take We’ve had convoy missions that we’ve sense of ownership to the Soldiers and chain is.” it, improve upon it, and make it better,” done, we’ve had wrecker recovery mis- kept them motivated.” As the 62nd prepares to head home, Heflin said. Father and son serve as 240th Quartermaster perseveres NCOs together in Iraq and overcomes challenges in Iraq continued from pg. 9 “When I was on my first deployment, continued from pg. 10 list during the deployment. I only had myself to worry about,” Of all the positive strides that the Sol- Kermit was so impressed he decided to Kermit said. “Now I have both of us to customers because they need these parts.” diers of the 240th have made, one accom- become an Army engineer himself to pay worry about. The pro is that I have him Sgt. Saudi Plowdeniz, a supervisor and plishment is most important in the eyes of for his computer science degree at East with me. I still miss everybody at home, personnel administrator for the yard.The Capt. Courteney Abraham, the company Tennessee University. On Sept. 1, 1997, but it helps to have him with me.” Soldiers of the 240th have done their jobs, commander. Kermit enlisted in the Army. Ricky Now that their first deployment but they have also overcome the challenges “We all deployed together and we will reenlisted the same day and the two took together is coming to a close, the of the deployment to succeed in the eyes of all be redeploying together. We have not the enlistment oath together. Largents are looking forward to seeing their leadership. had any casualties that have affected us Since then, Ricky and Kermit drove 75 the rest of their family, Kermit’s brother “It is odd that you can have so many with the mission. We have had eight Purple miles from Elizebethton, Va. to Marion, and Ricky’s son, Joshua Largent, and Soldiers in one place, in one unit that do Heart recipients thus far but all of them Va. to attend their monthly drills with the Kermit’s stepmother and Ricky’s wife, so many things well. It’s as if the sun have rebounded well and are doing phe- same unit, the 760th Engineering Co., Shannon Largent, Kermit’s sisters and shines on us all of the time,” Williamson nomenal physically and mentally,” which later became 463rd Engineering Ricky’s daughters, Sharon and Deborah said. “This is a great bunch of Soldiers, a Abraham said. The Soldiers of the 240th Company. who live in the Elizebethton area. very close knit group and we have great have accomplished a great deal in their time Kermit was deployed to Djibouti from “It’s just great to do a deployment leadership and motivation.” in Iraq. They were able to make the mission March to December 2003. Ricky requested with your son,” Ricky said. “We came to The company produced a Soldier and a successful one, even when the jobs were to go a long with his son, but he was protect the United States and fight NCO of the Year for their brigade and re- unknown to them, through hard work and denied. terrorism and we did that together.” tained 40 Soldiers by having them reen- perseverance. PAGE 16 ANACONDA TIMES DECEMBER 4, 2005 AROUND 3rd COSCOM
Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux Aaron Tippin performs in Iraq The country musician played at Logistical Support Area Anaconda on Nov. 25. There were no empty seats.
Photo by Sgt. Joshua Salmons Your problem’s right Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux here... What? This isn’t a KISS concert? Two mechanics check a dipstick. A Soldier gives Gene Simmons a run for his money while applauding at the Aaron Tippin concert.